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The European Union and Latin America

Subtitle: 
‘Transformative power Europe’ versus the realities of economic interests
Publication Name: 
Cambridge Review of International Affairs
Volume, number, page: 
28:4, pp.621-640
Year of Publication: 
2015
Author(s): 
GARCÍA María
Editor(s): 
Department of Politics and International Studies - Department of Politics and International Studies
Organization Name: 
Department of Politics and International Studies - Department of Politics and International Studies
City: 
Cambridge
Country of Publication: 
United Kingdom
Full Date: 
2015
ISBN or ISSN: 
1474-449X 
Category: 
Academic articles
Theme: 
Subregion - European Union
BIREGIONAL RELATIONS UE - LAC
BIREGIONAL DIALOGUES UE-LAC
Government
Keyword(s): 
Interregionalism
European Union
Latin America
Caribbean
Mercosur
Andean Community
Regional Integration
Regional international economic cooperation
Foreign policy cooperation
Foreign Policy
European Political Cooperation
Abstract: 
Relations between the European Union (EU) and regional subgroups in Latin America (Mercosur, the Andean Community and Central America) are clear examples of ‘pure interregionalism’ and provide evidence of the EU's active promotion of regional integration. Within the context of these cases, this article explores what type of international power the EU wields, how interregionalism is embedded in that power, and how it is deployed. Combining strands of literature on EU–Latin American relations, interregionalism, EU external policy and power provides a framework within which interregionalism can be understood as an important normative and practical tool for the EU's external power projection. Drawing on official documentation and interviews with key individuals, the paper highlights the EU's articulation of power in interregional relations and reflects upon its mixed success. It concludes that, while imperial qualities and aspirations can be observed in the EU's penchant for interregionalism, the transformative power of the EU remains limited.